Responsible for giving respiratory therapy care and life support to patients with cardiopulmonary system deficiencies and abnormalities, under supervision of physician.
Principal Accountabilities:
1. Assesses patient condition and determines requirements for treatment, such as type and duration of therapy, and medication and dosages. 2. Renders aerosol medications and treatments to patients for inhalation, and positions patients to assist in breathing and prevent lung obstruction. 3. Determines most suitable method of administering inhalants, precautions to be observed, and modifications required, based on physician's orders. 4. Sets up and operates devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators to support respiration and maintain patient's oxygen supply. 5. Monitors patient's physiological responses to therapy. 6. Performs chest physiotherapy on patient to remove mucus from their lungs and make it easier for them to breathe and assists patient in performing breathing exercises and consults with physician in event of adverse reactions. 7. Maintains records of patient's health with response to the respiratory therapy. 8. Provides patient education and demonstrates respiratory care procedures to trainees and other health care personnel. 9.May care for premature infants with underdeveloped pulmonary systems, the elderly who have increased susceptibility to pulmonary and cardiac disease, and trauma patients. 10. Performs other related duties as assigned.